Conor Friedersdorf

Conor Friedersdorf is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he focuses on politics and national affairs. He lives in Venice, California, and is the founding editor of The Best of Journalism, a newsletter devoted to exceptional nonfiction.

Bobby Jindal: Attacks on Obama Hurt the Right

Bobby Jindal: Attacks on Obama Hurt the Right

The Louisiana governor is correct: Republicans are distracting themselves with ad hominem absurdities More »

The Secrets of Creative Success: An Interview With Rob Long

The Secrets of Creative Success: An Interview With Rob Long

The Emmy award-winner reflects on his days on staff at Cheers, the TV business, and how to get ideas on the page for years on end More »

What America Looks Like: Dallas, Texas

What America Looks Like: Dallas, Texas

The United States as seen by its residents More »

Tchotchke Watch: Rush Limbaugh's Tea Party Iced Tea

Tchotchke Watch: Rush Limbaugh's Tea Party Iced Tea

The talk radio host has finally launched an unobjectionable engine of profit - and he's pitching it in an amusing costume More »

Andrew Breitbart Talks Down Talk Radio

Andrew Breitbart Talks Down Talk Radio

The Internet publisher says he wants the right to convey its ideas with the same "sophistication and excellence" as the left More »

Obama Fails to Justify the Legality of War in Libya

Obama Fails to Justify the Legality of War in Libya

In a letter to John Boehner and a 38-page report, the White House could not prove it complied with the War Powers Resolution More »

The Temptation to Go Rogue

The Temptation to Go Rogue

Why a moderate Republican nominee may inspire an especially immoderate campaign season More »

How Grover Norquist's Tax Pledge Trips Up Lawmakers

How Grover Norquist's Tax Pledge Trips Up Lawmakers

What's more important, ending a multi-billion dollar giveaway to special interests or making sure their taxes don't go up? Grover Norquist gave the wrong answer. More »

What America Looks Like: Luna, New Mexico

What America Looks Like: Luna, New Mexico

The United States as seen by its residents More »

Gary Johnson Crashes the N.H. Republican Debate

Gary Johnson Crashes the N.H. Republican Debate

The former governor didn't get an invite, so he sat alone in a room, answered the questions, and posted his answers to YouTube More »

The War on Drugs Turns 40

The War on Drugs Turns 40

In 1971 Richard Nixon declared abuse of narcotics public enemy number 1. Trillions later his views are alive and well. More »

The CIA Plans Summer Blockbusters in Yemen

The CIA Plans Summer Blockbusters in Yemen

The secret campaign of drone strikes is scheduled for July. And it exemplifies how much unchecked power we've given our presidents. More »

So What If Tim Pawlenty Is Boring?

So What If Tim Pawlenty Is Boring?

The case for electing a bland, uncharismatic president in 2012 More »

John Ziegler, as David Foster Wallace Saw Him

John Ziegler, as David Foster Wallace Saw Him

What did the late author make of the former talk-show host? More »

Let There Be 100-Watt Incandescent Light

Let There Be 100-Watt Incandescent Light

The traditional light bulb is already gone from California stores, the nationwide switch to a lower energy alternative starts in 2012, and Congress continues to make light of consumer choice More »

Longtime Palin Admirer: Running Would Hurt Her Cause and Country

Longtime Palin Admirer: Running Would Hurt Her Cause and Country

He was a radio talk show host when David Foster Wallace profiled him in The Atlantic. Now he may end up being Palin's worst enemy. More »

What America Looks Like: Reno, Nevada

What America Looks Like: Reno, Nevada

The United States as seen by its residents More »

Herman Cain's Anti-Muslim Bigotry Should Be Disqualifying

Herman Cain's Anti-Muslim Bigotry Should Be Disqualifying

The loyalty test he proposes for Muslim Americans isn't just discriminatory and unconstitutional -- it would never work More »

Why Alabama's Immigration Bill Is Bad for Citizens

Why Alabama's Immigration Bill Is Bad for Citizens

The state is trying to embed immigration enforcement into everyday life, thereby making government even more omnipresent More »

What America Looks Like: Weehawken, New Jersey

What America Looks Like: Weehawken, New Jersey

The United States as seen by its residents More »

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